 | The bloodie banqvet |  |
Act. 4.
Scene. 1.
Enter Tymethes and Zenarchus.Tym.
Nay, did ere subtlety match it?
Zen.
Slight, led to a Lady hudwinck'd!
Placed in state, and banqueted in Vizards.
Tym.
All by this light: but all this nothing was
To the delicious pleasures of her Bed.
Zen.
Who should this be?
Tym.
Nay enquire not brother,
I'de give one eye to see her with the other.
Seest thou this Jewell? in the midst of night
I slipt it from her vayle, unfelt of her,
'T may be so kind unto me as to bring
Her beauty to my knowledge.
Zen.
Can'st not guesse at her, nor at the Place?
Tym.
At neither for my heart; why Ile tell thee man
'Twas handled with such Art, such admir'd cunning,
What with my blindnesse and their generall darkenesse,
That when mine eyes receiv'd their liberty, I was nere the nearer.
To them in full forme I appear'd unshrowded
But all their lights to me were mask'd and clouded.
Enter Tyrant and Mazeres observing.
Zen.
Fore heaven I doe admire the cunning of 't.
Tym.
Nay you cannot out vye my admiration,
Zen.
Well, blow this over, see, our sister comes.
Enter Amphridote.
Tyr.
Art sure Mazeres that he courts our Daughter?
Maz.
I'me sure of more my Lord, she favours him.
Tyr.
That Begger?
Maz.
Worse my Lord, that villaine Traytor, and yet worse my Lord.
Tyr.
How?
Maz.
Pardon my Lord, a riper time shall bring him forth.
Behold him there my Lord.
Tymethes kisses her.
Tyr.
Dares she so farre forget respect to us,
And dim her owne lustre to give him grace?
Maz.
Favours are growne to custome twixt them both,
Letters, close banquets, whisperings, private meetings.
Tyr.
Ile make them dangerous meetings.
Amp.
In faith my Lord Ile have this Iewell.
Tym.
Tis not my gift Lady.
Tyr.
What's that Mazeres?
Maz.
Marry, my Lord, she courtly begs a Iewell of him
Which he keepes backe as Courtly, with faire words.
Amp.
I have sworne my Lord.
Tym.
Why upon that condition
Youle keepe it safe and close from all strange eyes
Not wronging me, tis yours.
Amp.
I sweare.
Tym.
It shall suffice.
They kisse, and Exit Zenarchus and Amphridote.
Maz.
Tis hers my Lord, at which they part in kisses.
Tyr.
Ile make those meetings bitter; both shall rue,
We have found Mazeres to this minute true.
Exit com Mazere.
Tym.
No tricke to see this Lady? heart of ill fortune!
The Iewell that was beg'd from me too was
The hope I had to gaine her wisht for knowledge.
Well; here's a heart within will not be quiet;
The eye is the sweete feeder of the soule,
When the taste wants, that keepes the memory whole;
Tis bad to be in darkenesse all know well,
What sayes the Note?
Vnlesse your life you would forgoe,
Whom we are, seeke not to know.
Pish, all Idle.
Whom we are, seeke not to know.
As if she'de suffer death to threaten me
Whom she so bounteously and firmely loves?
No tricke? excellent, twill fit; make use of that.
Enter Mazeres and Roxano.
Maz.
Enough, th'art honest; I affect thee much;
Goe, traine him to his ruine.
Exit.
Rox.
Let me alone my Lord, doubt not Ile traine him:
Perhaps sir I have the Art.
Tym.
Oh, I know thy minde.
Rox.
The further lodge?
Tym.
Enough, Ile meete thee presently.
Rox.
Why so; I like one that will make an end of himselfe at few words;
A man that hath a quicke perseverance in ill:
A leaping spirit; hee'le run through horrors jawes
To catch a sin; but to oretake a vertue
He softly paces, like a man that's sent
Some tedious darke, unprofitable journey.
Corrupt is nature, she loves nothing more
Than what she most should hate, there's nothing springs
Apace in man but gray haires, cares, and sinnes.
Exit
Tym.
Ile see her come what can; but what can prove?
She cannot seeke my death, that seekes my love.
Exit.
Scene. 2.
Enter Amphridote and Mazeres.Amp.
My Lord, what is the matter?
Maz.
I know not what;
The King sent.
Amp.
Well, we obey.
Maz.
Here comes his Highnesse.
Enter Tyrant.
Tyr.
How now what's she?
Amp.
I my Lord?
Your Highnesse knew me once, your most obedient Daughter.
Tyr.
They lye that tell me so, this is not she.
Amp.
No, my Lord?
Tyr.
No, for as thou art I know thee not,
And I shall strive still to forget thee more;
Thou neither bearst in memory my respects
Nor thy owne worthes; how can we thinke of thee
But as of a dejected worthlesse creature?
So farre beneath our grace and thy owne luster, that we disdaine to know thee.
Was there no choyse mong our selected Nobles
To make thy favorite besides Tymethes?
Sonne to our enemie, a wretch, a Begger?
Dead to all fortunes, honours, or their hopes,
Besides his breath, worth nothing; abject wretch,
To place thy affection so vigorously
On him can nere requite it; deny't not,
We know the favours thou hast given him,
Pledges of love, close letters, private meetings,
And whisperings are customary twixt you.
Come, which be his gifts? whereabout lye his pledges?
Amp.
Your Grace hath beene injuriously inform'd,
I nere receiv'd pledge.
Tyr.
Impudent creature,
When in our sight and hearing shamefully undervaluing thy best honours
Amp.
Oh pardon me my Lord, I had forgot, here 'tis,
That is the same, and all that ere was his.
Tyr.
Ha! this! how came this hither?
Amp.
I gave it you my Lord.
Tyr.
Who gave it thee?
Amp.
Tymethes.
Tyr.
He! who gave it him?
Amp.
I know not that my Lord.
Tyr.
Then here it stickes, Mazeres!
Maz.
My Lord!
Tyr.
Tis my Queenes, my Queenes, Mazeres.
How to him came this?
Maz.
I can resolve your highnesse.
Tyr.
Can Mazeres?
Maz.
He is some Ape, the huske falls from him now.
And you shall know his inside: he's a villaine,
A Traytor to the pleasures of your Bed.
Tyr.
Oh, I shall burst with torment.
Maz.
He's receiv'd this night
Into her bosome.
Tyr.
I feele a whirle wind in me
Ready to teare the frame of my mortality.
Maz.
I trac'd him to the deed.
Tyr.
And saw it done?
Maz.
I abus'd my eyes in the true survey oft,
Tainted my hearing with lascivious sounds;
My loyalty did prompt me to be sure
Of what I found so wicked and impure.
Tyr.
Tis spring tyde in my Gall, all my blood's bitter,
Puh, lungs too.
Maz.
This night.
Tyr.
Lodovico.
Enter Lodovico.
Lod.
My Lord.
Tyr.
How cam'st thou up? lets heare.
Lod.
My Lord, my first beginning was a Broker.
A knave from the beginning; there's no hope of him, Sertorio?
Enter Sertorio.
Ser.
Here my Lord.
Tyr.
We know thee just, how cam'st thou up? let's heare.
Ser.
From no desert that I can challenge but your highnesse favour.
Tyr.
Thou art honest in that answere; goe, report we are 40. leagues off
Rid forth: spread it about the Castle cunningly.
Ser.
Ile doe it faithfully my Lord.
Tyr.
Doe't cunningly,
Goe, if thou should'st doe't faithfully thou lyest;
I'me lost by violence through all my sences,
I'me blinde with rage, Mazeres, guide me forth
I tread in Ayre, and see no foote nor path,
I have lost myselfe, yet cannot lose my wrath.
Exeunt all but Amphridote.
Amp.
What have I heard? it dares not be but true;
Tymethes taken in adulterate traines,
And with the Queene my mother? now I hate him,
As beauty abhorres yeares, or Vsurers charity;
He does appeare unto my eye a Leaper
Enter Mazeres.
Full of sinnes blacke infection, foule Adultery:
Cursed be the houre in which I first did grace him,
And let Mazeres sterve in my disdaine
That hath so long observ'd me with true love,
Whose loyalty in this approves the same.
Maz.
Madam.
Amp.
My love? my Lord I should say, but would say my love.
Maz.
I doe beseech your Grace for what I have done
Lay no oppressing censure upon me;
I could not but in honesty reveale it,
Not envying in that he was my Rivall,
Nor in the force of any ancient grudge
But as the deede in its owne nature crav'd,
So mong the rest it was reveal'd to me:
Gracious and kinde, had you but seene the manner
Would have throwne by all pitty and remorce
And tooke my office or one more in force.
Amp.
Rise deare Mazeres, in our favours rise,
So farre am I from censure to reprove thee
That in my hate to him I chuse and love thee.
Maz.
If constant service may be call'd desert, I shall deserve.
Amp.
Man hath no better part.
Maz.
Why this was happily observ'd and follow'd;
(aside.
The King will to the Castle late to night,
And tread through all the Vaults, I must attend.
Amp.
I wish that at first sight th'hadst forc'd his end.
Exit.
Maz.
Tis better thus; so my revenge imports;
Now thrive my plots, the end shall make me great,
She mine, the Crowne sits here I am then Compleate.
Exit.
Scene. 3.
Enter Queene and her maide with a light.Que.
So, leave us here a while, beare backe the light,
I would not be discovered if he come,
You know his entertainement, so be gone,
I am not chearefull troth, what point so ere
My powers arrive at: I desire a league
With desolate darkedesse, and disconsolate fancies,
There is no musicke in my soule to night.
What should I feare when all my servants faiths
Sleepe in my bounty, and no bribes nor threates,
Can wake them from my safety? for the King,
He's forty leagues rode forth, I heard it lately:
Yet heavinesse like a Tyrant, proud in night
Vsurpes my power, rules where it hath no right.
She sleepes.
Enter Roxano as she sleepes with Tymethes hudwinckt.
Tym.
Me thinkes this a longer voyage than the first?
Pleasures once tasted makes the next seeme worse.
Tym.
Is that the tricke?
Rox.
Oh sir, experience proves it,
You came at first to enjoy what you nere knew,
Now all is but the same what ere you doe.
Tym.
Ile prove that false, the sight of her is new.
Rox.
I have forgot a businesse to my Lord Mazeres,
My safety to the King relyes upon't,
You are in the house my Lord, this is the withdrawing Roome.
Tym.
I see nothing.
Rox.
No matter sir, as long as you have
Feeling enough.
Tym.
Is the Hood off?
Rox.
Tis here in my hand sir,
I must crave pardon, leave you here a while,
But as you love my safety and your owne
Remove not from this roome till my returne.
Tym.
Well here's my hand I will not.
Rox.
Tis enough sir.
Exit.
Tym.
Hist, art gone? then boldly I step forth
Cunning discoverer of an unknowne beauty
As subtle as her plot: Thou art mask't too,
Opens a darke Lanthorne.
Shew me a little comfort, in this condensive darkenesse;
Play the flatterer laugh in my face;
Why here's enough to perfect all my wishes;
With this I taste of that forbidden fruite
Which as she sayes death followes; death 'twill sting,
Soft, what roomes this? lets see, tis not the former
I was entertaind in, no, it some what differs:
Rich hangings still, Court deckings, I, and all—
He spies the Queene.
Oh all that can be in mans wish compriz'd
Is in thy love immortall, in thy graces,
I am not the same flesh, my touch is alterd.
She awakes.
Que.
Hast thou betrayd me? what hast thou attempted?
Nothing that can be prejudiciall
To the sweete peace of those illustrious graces.
Que.
Oh my most certaine ruine?
Tym.
Admired Lady heare me, heare my vow,
Que.
Oh miserable youth none saves thee now.
Tym.
By that which man holds dearest dreadfull Queene.
And all that can be in a vow contain'd
Ile prove as true, secret, and vigilant
As ever man observ'd with serious vertue
The dreadfull call of his departing soule.
Your owne soule to your secrets, shall not prove more true
Than mine to it, to them, to all, to you.
Que.
Oh misery of affection built on breath?
Were I as far past my beleefe in heaven
As in mans oathes, I were the foulest devill.
Tym.
May I eate and nere be nourished, live and know nothing,
Love without enjoying, if ever—
Que.
Come, this is more than needes.
Tym.
There's comfort then.
Que.
You that professe such truth, shall I enjoyne you
To one poore penance then to try your faith?
Tym.
Be't what it will command it.
Que.
Spend but this houre, wherein you have offended
In true repentance of your sinne, and all
Your hasty youth stands guilty of, and being cleare,
You shall enjoy that which you hold most deare.
Tym.
And if this pennance I performe not truely
May I henceforth nere be received to favour.
Que.
Why then Ile leave you to your taske a while:
Most wretched, doubtfull, strange distracted woman,
Ene drawne in peeces betwixt love and feare,
I weepe in thought of both: bold venturous youth,
Twice I writ death, yet would he seeke to know me,
He'le make no Conscience where his oathes bestow me.
Exit.
Tym.
I'me glad all's so well past, and she appeas'd,
I sweare I did expect a harder pennance
When she began to enjoyne me; why, this is wholsome
For soule and body, though I seldome use it.
I never knew affection hastier borne,
With more true Art and lesse suspition:
It so amaz'd me to know her my Mistresse
I had no power to close the light againe,
Enter the Queene with two Pistols.
Vnhappy that I was, peace, here she comes,
Downe to thy pennance, thinke of thy whole youth,
From the first minute that the wombe conceiv'd me
To this full heaped houre I doe repent me,
With heart as penitent as a man, dissolving,
Of all my sinnes, borne with me, and borne of me;
Dishonest thoughts and sights, the pathes of youth,
So thrive in mercy as I end in truth.
She shootes him dead.
Que.
Fly to thy wish, I pray it may be given,
Man in a twinkling is in earth and heaven:
I dealt not like a coward with thy soule,
Nor tooke it unprepar'd.
I gave him time to put his armour on
And sent him forth like a Celestiall champion,
I lov'd thee with more care and truer moane,
Since thou must dye to taste more deathes than one
Too much by this pitty and love confesses,
Had any warning fastned on thy sences:
Rash, unadvised youth, whom my soule weepes for,
How oft I told thee this attempt was death?
Yet would'st thou venture on, fond man and knew?
But what destruction will not youth pursue?
Here long mightst thou have liv'd, beene lov'd, enjoy'd,
Had not thy will thy happinesse destroyd;
Thought'st thou by oathes to have thy deedes well borne?
Thou should'st have come when man was nere forsworne:
They are dangerous now; witnesse this breach of thine,
Who's false to his owne faith, will nere keepe mine.
We must be safe, young man, the deed's unknowne,
There are more loves, honours no more than one.
Yet spight of death Ile kisse thee; oh strange ill,
Whom shall I trust with this poore bleeding body?
Yonder's a secret Vault runnes through the Castle
There for a while convey him; haplesse Boy
that never knew how deare 'twas to enjoy.
Enter Tyrant with a Torch.
Oh I'me confounded everlastingly,
Damnd to a thousand Tortures in that sight
What shall I frame? my Lord
She runnes to him.
Tyr.
What's shee?
Que.
Oh my sweete dearest Lord.
Tyr.
Thy name?
Que.
Thy poore affrighted and indangered Queene.
Tyr.
Oh, I know thee now.
Que.
Did not your Majesty heare the piteous shreikes
Or an inforced Lady?
Tyr.
Yes, whose were they?
Que.
Mine my most worthy Lord; behold this Villaine
Seald with his just desert: light here my King,
This violent youth, whom till this night, I saw not,
Being, as it seemes, acquainted with the footesteps
Of that darke passage, broke through the Vault upon me
And with a secret Lanthorne searcht me out;
And seized me at my Orisons alone
And bringing me by violence to this roome
Farre from my guard, or any hope of rescue,
Intending here the ruine of my honour;
But in the strife, as the good Gods ordain'd it
Reaching for succour, I lighted on a Pistoll,
Which I presum'd was not without his charge,
Then I redeemed mine honour from his lust,
So he that sought my fall lyes in the dust.
Tyr.
Oh let me imbrace thee for a brave unmatchable
Precious, unvallewed admirable whore.
Que.
Ha! what sayes my Lord?
Tyr.
Come hither, yet draw nearer, how came this man
To 's end? I would heare that, I would learne cunning,
Tell me that I may wonder and so lose thee.
A subtlety no devill can imitate,
Speake, why is all so contrary to time?
He downe and you up? ha, why thus?
Que.
I am sorry for my Lord, I understand him not.
Tyr.
The deed is not so monstrous in it selfe
As is the Art which ponders home the deed;
The cunning doth amaze me past the sinne,
That he should fall before my rage begin.
Que.
My Lord.
Tyr.
Come hither yet, one of those left hands give me,
Thou hast no right at all;
Nothing but put a Ring upon a finger
Que.
That's a wrong finger for a Ring my Lord.
Tyr.
And what was he on whom you bounteously bestow'd this Iewell?
Que.
I doe not like that word.
aside
Tyr.
Looke well upon't, doest know it? I, and start.
Que.
Oh heaven, how came this hither?
Your Highnesse gave me this, this is mine owne.
Tyr.
Tis the same ring, but yet not the same stone
Mysticall Strumpet, dost thou yet presume
Vpon thy subtle strength? shak'st thou not yet?
Or is it onely Art makes women constant, whom nature makes so loose?
I lookt for gracious lightning from thy cheekes,
I see none yet; for a relenting Eye,
I can see no such sight; lust keepes in all;
My witnesse? where's my witnesse? rise in the same forme.
Enter from below, Mazeres habited like Roxano.
Que.
Oh I'me betray'd.
Tyr.
Is not yon woman an Adulteresse.
Maz.
Yes, my good Lord.
Tyr.
Was not this fellow catcht for her desire?
Brought in a Mist? banquetted and received
To all her amplest pleasures!
Maz.
True, my Lord,
I brought him, saw him feasted and receiv'd,
Downe, downe, we have too much.
Que.
Oh tis Roxano.
Maz.
So, by this sleight I have deceiv'd them both,
I'm tooke for him I strive to make her loath.
Exit.
Tyr.
Needes here more witnesses? Ile call up more.
Que.
Oh no, here lyes a witnesse gainst my selfe
Sooner beleev'd than all their hired faiths;
Doome me unto my death, onely except
The lingering execution of your looke;
Let me not live tormented in that brow,
I doe confesse.
Tyr.
Oh I felt no quicke till now,
All witnesses to this were but dead flesh
I was insensible of all but this.
Would I had given my Kingdome so condition'd
That thou hadst nere confessed it.
Now I stand by the deed, see all in Action,
The close conveyance, cunning passages,
The Artfull fetch, the whispering close disguising;
The houre, the Banquet, and the baudy Tapers;
All sticke in mine eye together; yet thou shalt live.
Que.
Torment me not with life, it askes but death.
Tyr.
Oh hadst thou not confest? hadst thou no sleight?
Where was thy cunning there?
I see it now in thy confession.
Thou shalt not dye as long as this is meate,
Thou kill'dst a Bucke which thou thy selfe shalt eate.
Que.
Deare sir?
Tyr.
Here's Deere strucke dead with thy owne hand,
Tis Venison for thy owne tooth, thou know'st the rellish
A dearer place hath beene thy Taster; hoa, Sertorio! Lodovico!
They Enter.
Ambo.
Here sir.
Tyr.
Drag hence that body, see it quartered streight,
No living wrath can I extend upon't,
Else torments, horrors, Gibbets, rackes and wheeles
Had with a thousand deaths presented him,
Ere he had tasted one; yet thou shalt live.
Ile try which is spent first, that or thine eye,
Ile provide foode for thee, thou shalt not dye.
If there be hell for sinnes that men commit,
Marry a strumpet and she keepes the pit.
Exit.
Que.
I feard this misery long before it came.
My ominous dreames, and fearefull dreadfulnesse
Promis'd this issue long before twas borne.
Enter Mazeres.
Maz.
Yonder she kneeles, little suspecting me
The neate discoverer of her Venery.
I were full safe had I Roxano's life
Which in this streame I fish for; how now Lady;
So nere the earth suites not a living Queene.
Que.
Vnder the earth were safer and farre happier.
Maz.
What is 't that can drive you to such discomforts?
To prize your glories at so meane a Rate?
Que.
The trechery of my servants, good my Lord;
Maz.
Dare they prove trecherous? most ignoble Vassals,
To the sweete peace of so divine a Mistresse?
Que.
I'me sure one Villaine, whom I dearely lov'd,
Of whom my trust had made Election chiefe,
Perfideously betray'd me to the fury
Of my tempestuous unappeased Lord.
Maz.
Let me but know him, that I may bestow
My service to your Grace upon his heart
And thence deserve a Mistresse like your selfe.
Enter Roxano from below.
Que.
Oh me, too soone behold him.
Maz.
Madam, stand by, let him not see the light.
Rox.
Now I expect reward.
Maz.
He dyes were he my kinseman for that guilt,
Though twere as farre to's heart as tis to th'hilt.
Runnes at Roxano.
Rox.
Ha? what was that? there's a reward with a vengeance.
Maz.
Fall villaine, for betraying of thy Lady,
Such things must never creepe about the earth
Que.
This is some poore revenge, thankes good my Lord,
Into that cave with him from whence he rose
Not long since and betray'd me to the King.
Maz.
O villaine, in, and overtake thy soule.
Que.
Here's a perplexed brest, let that warme steele
Performe but the like service upon me,
And live the rarest friend to a Queenes wish.
Maz.
Oh pardon me, that were too full of evill,
I threat not Angels though I smite the Devill:
Doubt not your peace, the King will be appeas'd
There Ile bestow my service.
Que.
We are pleas'd.
Maz.
As much as comes to nothing; Ile not sue
To urge the King from that he urg'd him to.
Exit.
Que.
Betrayd where I repos'd most trust? oh heaven,
There is no misery, fit match for mine.
Enter Tyrant Sertorio, Lodovico, bringing in Tymethes limbes.
Tyr.
So, bring 'em forward yet, there, there bestow them,
Before her eyes lay the divided limbes
Of her desired Paramour; so, y'are welcome,
Lady you see your cheere, fine flesh, course fare,
Sweete was your lust, what can be bitter there?
By heaven, no other food thy taste shall have,
Till in thy bowels those Corpes finde a grave.
Which to be sure of, come, Ile locke thee safe
From the worlds pitty: hang those quarters up,
The bottome drinkes the worst in pleasures cup.
Exeunt omn.
| The bloodie banqvet | |